Question

You should take his promises with a grain of salt; he rarely keeps them.

• A. To believe them completely
• B. To not believe them completely
• C. To offer him a snack
• D. To get angry with him

Answer 1

Answer:

B. To not believe them completely

Understanding the Idiom: 'Take with a Grain of Salt'

• The idiom 'take with a grain of salt' means to not believe something completely or to view it with skepticism. It suggests that you should listen to information or advice, but be cautious and critical, as it might not be entirely accurate or true.
• In the given sentence, 'You should take his promises with a grain of salt; he rarely keeps them,' the phrase directly advises caution regarding someone's promises because their past actions indicate a lack of reliability.

Origin and Historical Context

• This idiom has its roots in ancient Roman times, stemming from the Latin phrase 'cum grano salis', which literally translates to 'with a grain of salt'.
• The earliest known reference is from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia (Natural History), written in 77 AD. He recounts a recipe for an antidote to poison, which included a 'grain of salt' as an ingredient.
• The phrase 'cum grano salis' was used to imply that the antidote would be more effective if taken with a grain of salt, or perhaps that the salt made the antidote easier to ingest. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to mean that something should be taken with a bit of skepticism or caution to make it 'easier to swallow' or accept, particularly if it's questionable.

Relevance for Competitive Exams

• Idioms and phrases like 'take with a grain of salt' are frequently tested in English language sections of competitive exams (e.g., SSC CGL, Bank PO, UPSC, CAT, XAT).
• Questions often require candidates to:
  • Identify the correct meaning of an idiom from given options.
  • Choose the correct usage of an idiom in a sentence.
  • Complete a sentence by filling in the appropriate idiom.
• Understanding the literal meaning and historical context of idioms can often help in deducing their figurative meanings, even if encountered for the first time in an exam.
• Other common idioms related to caution or skepticism:
  • 'With a pinch of salt' (synonymous, especially in British English).
  • 'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.' (implies skepticism towards an enemy's kindness).
  • 'Read between the lines.' (implies looking for hidden meanings or implied truths).